Chris Smith has just announced the results of the Comprehensive Spending
Review.
Some of the key issues (that I have picked up second hand and
unreliably!) were:-
* a new strategic body for museums, libraries and archives for
implementation in April 2000
* free access to national museums for children next year, pensioners the
year after
* developing regional fora - to include museums, libraries, archives,
arts, tourism etc. these will have a chair and the regional government
office will provide a secretariat
The detailed briefing document includes:-
* £15 million fund for Designated museums over 3 years
* £0.5million for an IT Challenge Fund (subject to finding matching
funding) for 1999
* £0.5 million for an Education Challenge Fund (subject to finding
matching funding) for 2000
The press release should go up on the DCMS website soon - it should be
at
http://www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/GHE/GHE.html
The detailed report is now available at
http://www.culture.gov.uk/WHATNEW.HTM
David Dawson
Museums New Technology Adviser
Museums and Galleries Commission
tel: 0171 233 4200
email: [log in to unmask]
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